In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 16

The sun's rays were just starting to creep over the horizon as Senna slowed the bike near an outcropping of mountains. She had no idea how long they'd been driving, but the sound of their pursuers had long since faded. Her body ached from stiffness and cold, but she hardly noticed as she maintained her connection to Rex through the Force. His life signs were fading, and she was frantic to find shelter. Several cave entrances loomed in front of her as she slowed the bike to a stop. Climbing down, she took her lightsaber from her belt, and stepped inside the closest one. She did not feel any lifeforms, but wanted to ensure they weren't about to walk into some creature's nest while it was out. Finding the cave entirely deserted with nothing but a shallow deposit of water and plenty of rock formations, she jogged back to the entrance and pulled the bike inside. As soon as they were far enough in for her to feel safe, she illuminated a glow rod from her pack and pulled Rex from the bike, gently leaning him up against a rock in the corner so that he was somewhat sitting up.

His face was alarmingly pale and his skin felt clammy. A thin trickle of blood had dried on his face from his forehead wound, but that was nothing compared to the burn mark in his chest that had left a hole large enough to turn her stomach. There's no way that's missed his organs, although I can't tell how bad the damage is. Quickly as her shaking hands would allow, she ripped open her med pack. There wasn't much there, certainly not enough to heal him. She felt a sob catch in her throat as she tried to think. Calm your mind. Only through calm will you find your way. Her master's words echoed in her mind as it grasped for solutions.

Suddenly, a brief memory from her time as a youngling surfaced. A story that they'd been told of a Jedi knight who had healed his Padawan by channeling some of his life force into him, a tale to teach the Jedi way of self-sacrifice in the service of others, particularly future generations. It was barely a glimpse of a memory and, as with many of the Jedi stories, it had never been made clear to them if the story was real or just a fable meant for a moral lesson. I have to try.

She rubbed her hands nervously together, trying to center herself. I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me. She pulled in a deep breath and let it out shakily. Gently, she pulled Rex's shirt up so that she would be able to place her hands on his chest. The sight of the exposed wound made her stifle another sob. Stay focused. Breathe. She gave him an injection of pain killer in his neck and placed her shaking hands on the bare skin on either side of the wound. I am one with the Force and the Force is with me. My life for his. Please let me be able to keep him alive. She felt nothing happening, so she reached deeper. Breathe. She pictured Rex's eyes opening, looking into hers. I love him. The thought came unbidden, but she couldn't stop it, nor did she want to. She felt awash with warmth, her fingertips growing warmer. I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me. My life for his. I am one with the Force. She felt the warmth tingle in her fingertips and she desperately wanted to open her eyes to see if anything was happening. FOCUS. YOU HAVE TO FOCUS. I AM ONE WITH THE FORCE AND THE FORCE IS WITH ME. She felt him shift underneath her and her concentration broke. Her eyes snapped open to see him mouthing the mantra with her, his eyes still closed.

"Rex?" she choked.

There was no answer, but when she placed her fingers to his neck, she thought she felt his pulse grow ever so slightly stronger. Please don't be wishful thinking.

She stared at him a moment longer, barely daring to breathe. The wound did not look any better, but his pulse was definitely a bit stronger, and he seemed mildly less pale. I have to try again. Her hope renewed, Senna calmed her mind, her determination hardening her against distractions. I can do this. I have to do this.

---------------------------------------

As the sun was sinking back below the horizon and the shadows in the cave were growing longer, Senna collapsed from exhaustion. She'd never spent so long channeling the Force, and it was taking a physical toll on her at this point. She suspected it was even more difficult since she'd spent a year cutting herself off from it, and that had only weakened her connection, making the entire ordeal even more strenuous. Despite the warmth that exuded from her fingertips while she had healed Rex, her body had started to feel colder, and she shivered in the cool night air. Pulling herself up one more time to look at Rex, she saw his chest rising and falling evenly, his breathing more steady and deeper. Some of the color had returned to his cheeks, and the wound in his chest didn't appear quite as deep. She knew she should stay awake to keep watch, but she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. Making sure her lightsaber was close, she leaned her back against the wall. As she drifted off, her final thoughts brought a slight smile to her lips. He's going to live.